Customer Reviews

The Mothers-in-Law: The Complete Series

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

MPI Home Video just keeps bringing out more rarities to please their fans! They planned to release The Mothers-In-Law last year in 2009, but decided to do both seasons- which is the entire series- together in one set. They are not rushing the release of this series as they are remastering the original film into pristine condition, like they have been doing for Here's Lucy and the Lucy specials and have stated to me that this set will be LOADED with bonus materials! After hearing all this, I can't wait until July 27, 2010 to be able to see this darling sitcom again!

This sitcom was the complete project of Desi Arnaz after he resigned as President from Desilu Studios in 1963, which followed his divorce from Lucy. He put together this show along with the same writers from I Love Lucy- Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. By the time he had scripts and the cast it was ready for it's premiere in 1967. Desi produced, directed and even guest starred in The Mothers-In-Law.

Even though the show was placed right in the middle of NBC's top shows, Bonanza and The Wonderful World Of Disney, the shows ratings were very unimpressive. NBC wanted to cancel the show after this first dismal year, but Desi talked NBC to give them a second chance on a second season, with no pay raises for anyone in the show. NBC agreed to this and all the cast agreed with no raises except for Roger C. Carmel who played Roger Buell- Kaye Ballard's husband. Even when Desi pleaded with him to accept his same pay for the second year of $2,000.00 a week with residuals, Roger refused. Roger's ungratefulness to Desi Arnaz got around the studios and he had a hard time finding work for years. After this second year did even worse on the ratings, the show was cancelled.

This show was actually quite cute and had the same premise as I Love Lucy, 2 couples who quarrel, with the addition, that they meddle into their childrens lives. The young couple were cute as well played by Deborah Walley and Jerry Fogel. On the second season the couple have twins- a girl and boy to add to the storyline. Desi guest starred as Raphael Del Gado, a matador from Barcelona, Spain in both seasons and had guest stars in the first season of Rob Reiner, Larry Storch, Alan Reed (voice of Fred Flintstone), Desi Arnaz Jr. (played Tommy), Joe Besser (3 Stooges) and on the last show of the first season The Seeds (Pushin' Too Hard). Trying to pick the ratings up on Season 2, Desi even had more guest stars: Jeanette Nolan, Paul Lynde, Desi again guest starred with Desi Jr., John Byner, Mel Blanc, Ozzie Nelson, Alice Ghostly, Jimmy Durante, Terri Garr, Don Rickles, Marni Nixon (opera star- she did all of Audrey Hepburn's singing in My Fair Lady) and Mary Jane Croft.

I personally saw the show back in the sixties and thought it was cute- probably more fifties I Love Lucy style, and perhaps that's why it failed in the ratings in the late sixties. We were all watching Laugh In, the Smothers Brothers, Peyton Place, That Girl, Lost In Space, Man From UNCLE- the times were changing into more space, spys, mod, music and politics. I have to say, I'm really excited to have this old treasured sitcom on dvd with lots of bonus materials. It will be wonderful to enjoy this show in a different time!

The cast from Season 1 and 2 were the same with the exception of Roger C. Carmel quitting after season 1 and being replaced by Richard Deacon as Roger Buell in Season 2. I have to give a big THANK YOU MPI for bringing out more great rare shows that are pristinely cleaned up and loaded with bonus materials, that will be such a joy to see again!

THE CAST:
Eve Arden........Eve Hubbard
Herbert Rudley...Herb Hubbard
Deborah Walley...Suzie Hubbard Buell
Kaye Ballard.....Kaye Buell
Roger C. Carmel..Roger Buell (Season 1)
Richard Deacon...Roger Buell (Season 2)
Jerry Fogel......Jerry Buell

SHORT CAST BIOS:
EVE ARDEN: 1908-1990,at age 82 died of cancer and heart disease; survived by 4 children from second husband. Best known as high school teacher in OUR MISS BROOKS and as Rydell High School principal in GREASE and GREASE 2.
HERBERT RUDLEY: 1910-2006,at age 96 died of natural causes. Best known as Herb Hubbard in MIL and as psychiatrist, Dr. Twombey in The Beverly Hillbillies.
DEBORAH WALLEY: 1943-2001, at age 57 died from throat cancer; survived by 3 sons. Best known as her role as Gidget and other sixties beach movies.
KAYE BALLARD: 1925-present, never married yet and breast cancer survivor. Best known as Kaye Buell in MIL and as Italian restaurant owner and landlord to Doris Day in The Doris Day Show.
ROGER C. CARMEL: 1932-1986, at age 54 died from congestive heart failure. Best known as the flamboyant criminal Harry Mudd on Star Trek.
RICHARD DEACON: 1921-1984, at age 63 died from heart disease. Best known as Mel Cooley on the Dick Van Dyke Show, also was a gourmet chef with several cookbooks.
JERRY FOGEL: 1936-present. Best known as Jerry Buell in MIL and as Bill Donahue in White Shadow, but I know him best as the director's assistant Ernie when they are shooting a commercial in the very first episode of THAT GIRL.

Season 1 Episodes:
1. (09-10-67) ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, LOHENGRIN- The Hubbards and Buells can't agree on their children's wedding plans.
2. (09-17-67) EVERBODY GOES ON A HONEYMOON- The Hubbards and Buells almost ruin their children's honeymoon when they show up at the resort.
3. (09-24-67) ALL FALL DOWN- Kaye goes skiing and both Kaye and Eve end up with broken legs.
4. (10-01-67) A NIGHT TO FORGET- Eve and Kaye accidentally get locked inside a store together for a night until it opens the next day. (Desi Arnaz guest stars)
5. (10-08-67) THE NEWLYWEDS MOVE IN- Suzie and Jerry move in to the apartment in Suzie's parents garage and Eve and Kaye promise not to bud into their lives.
6. (10-15-67) THE CAREER GIRLS- Eve and Kaye both try out for parts in a show. (Rob Reiner guest stars)
7. (10-22-67) WHO'S AFRAID OF ELIZABETH TAYLOR?- When both Herb and Roger admit they would like to have dinner with the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, both Eve and Kaye throw them out of their houses.
8. (10-29-67) MY SON, THE ACTOR- Jerry gets help from both his parents and in-laws in getting a part in the school play.
9. (11-05-67) HOW DO YOU MOONLIGHT A MEATBALL?- To help Jerry pay off Suzie's ring, Kaye sells her famous spaghetti and meatballs with Eve's help on the college campus.
10. (11-12-67) I THOUGHT HE'D NEVER LEAVE- The Hubbards have a fugitive hiding out at their home. (Larry Storch guest stars)
11. (11-19-67) THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE- The Buells and Hubbards both enter a cycling race.
12. (11-26-67) THROUGH THE LURKING GLASS- The entire family show up in costumes when Roger is arrested, to try and rescue him. (Alan Reed (best known for his voice of Fred Flintstone) guest stars)
13. (12-03-67) DIVORCE-MOTHER-IN-LAW STYLE- To teach their intruding mothers a lesson, Suzie and Jerry pretend they are going to divorce.
14. (12-10-67) THE NOT COLD ENOUGH WAR- When Eve is getting a new refrigerator, she makes a big mistake by giving her old refrigerator to Kaye.
15. (12-17-67) YOU CHALLENGE ME TO WHAT?- After Herb and Roger have a fight, Roger challenges Herb to a duel.
16. (12-31-67) EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A WRITER- When Kaye and Eve decide to try and write a television script, they find out that the exact story was probably written by another writer.
17. (01-07-68) THE KIDS MOVE OUT- Eve and Kaye's constant meddling and interfering in their children's lives, cause Jerry and Suzie to move.
18. (01-14-68) THE HOMBRE WHO CAME TO DINNER-PART 1- The Hubbards bullfighting friend Raphael Del Gado from Spain comes to visit and stays longer than they'd like. (Desi Arnaz guest stars)
19. (01-21-68) THE HOMBRE WHO CAME TO DINNER-PART 2- Both the Hubbards and Buells get to visit Mexico. (Desi Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. (as Tommy) guest star)
20. (01-28-68) DON'T GIVE UP THE SLOOP- The Buells and Hubbards both won a boat in a game show and have a fight over ownership.
21. (02-04-68) I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT WE'RE NOT SPEAKING- When the Buells and Hubbards stop speaking to each other, Jerry and Suzie sign them up for group therapy sessions.
22. (02-11-68) HERB'S LITTLE HELPERS- When Herb's secretary is sick, Eve takes her place.
23. (02-25-68) BYE, BYE BLACKMAILER- Roger pays back a loan, by Eve lending Kaye Herb's money, without telling Herb it's his own money he's getting back.
24. (03-03-68) THE WIG STORY- When Kaye wears a blonde wig she borrowed from Eve, she thinks Roger has fallen in love with the wig.
25. (03-10-68) IT'S ONLY MONEY- When eating out at a fancy restaurant, Roger says they'll split the bill, even though Roger and his wife Kaye ordered the more expensive dishes, making Herb want to get even.
26. (03-17-68) I HAVEN'T GOT A SECRET- Roger finally has his scripts considered for a television series and when he asks wife Kaye to keep mum about it, she just can't keep a secret.
27. (03-24-68) JERRY'S NIGHT OUT WITH THE BOYS- When Suzie doesn't want Jerry spending a night to play poker every week with his buddies, all 4 parents take sides in the argument.
28. (03-31-68) THE LONG, LONG WEEKEND- During a visit to their cabin in the mountains, the Buells and Hubbards get trapped in a snowstorm.
29. (04-07-68) JEALOUSY MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER- When Herb gets an unexpected visit from a former girlfriend, Eve gets very jealous.
30. (04-28-68) HOW NOT TO MANAGE A ROCK GROUP- A new rock group called The Warts catches the interest of the Hubbards and Buells, who decide they'd like to invest money into the group. (Joe Besser (3 Stooges) and The Seeds guest star-they are known for their hit- Pushin' Too Hard)

Season 2 Episodes:
1. (09-15-68) HERE COMES THE BRIDE, AGAIN- When Kaye's grandmother comes for a visit all the way from Italy, Jerry and Suzie renew their wedding vows to please Jerry's great grandmother. (Jeanette Nolan guest stars)
2. (09-22-68) THE MATCH GAME- To help Jerry keep his job at a computer dating service, the Buells and Hubbards come up with a plan. (Paul Lynde guest stars)
3. (09-29-68) A LITTLE PREGNANCY GOES A LONG WAY- Somehow, Eve and Kaye get the idea that Herb and Roger are planning to take them on a cruise to Hawaii.
4. (10-06-68) LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, IF YOU CAN'T GET HIM TO MOVE- The Buells remember how they first bought the house next to the Hubbards.
5. (10-13-68) I DIDN'T RAISE MYSELF TO BE A GRANDMOTHER- When Kaye and Eve take a good look at what they've done in their life, they realize they need to do more to improve themselves.
6. (10-20-68) EVEN MOTHERS-IN LAW HAVE MOTHERS-IN-LAW- Both Roger's mother and Herb's mother come for a visit.
7. (10-27-68) THE MATADOR MAKES A MOVIE- The Hubbards and Buells friend Raphael Del Gado is making a movie and the 2 couples will do anything to get a role in the film. (Desi Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. guest star)
8. (11-10-68) IT'S A DOG'S LIFE- Eve gives Jerry and Suzie a puppy not knowing that Kaye is also giving them a puppy as a gift. (John Byner guest stars)
9. (11-24-68) THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY IS THE HARDEST- The Hubbards and Buells hide money in one of Jerry's jacket pockets as a surprise gift and not knowing, Suzie gives the jacket away.
10. ( 12-01-68) THE BIRTH OF EVERYTHING BUT THE BLUES- When Suzie needs extra money, she takes a babysitting job taking care of animals. (Mel Blanc guest stars)
11. (12-08-68) NOME, SCHNOME, I'D RATHER HAVE IT AT HOME- The In Laws are shocked when Jerry and Suzie want to move to Alaska.
12. (12-15-68) HAIL, HAIL, THE GANG'S STILL HERE- When Eve and Herb are tired of seeing Kaye and Roger, they try hiding- only under their bed.
13. (12-22-68) DIDN'T YOU USED TO BE OZZIE SNICK?- An unexpected visit from Kaye's old bandleader boyfriend surprises everyone. (Ozzie Nelson guest stars)
14. (01-05-69) MAKE ROOM FOR BABY- When the Buells and Hubbards decide another room is needed for Suzie and Jerry's apartment for the newly expected baby, they decide to add on another room and to save money, they decide to do the work themselves.
15. (01-12-69) HAVEN'T YOU HAD THAT BABY YET?- When Suzie goes into labor, Kaye and Eve misplace her on the way to the hospital.
16. (01-19-69) AND BABY MAKES FOUR- The Buells and Hubbards can't decide what to name the new little twins. (Alice Ghostly guest stars)
17. (01-26-69) NANNY GO HOME- The new nanny won't let Kaye and Eve constantly visit the new twins, so they scheme how to get rid of her. (Jeanette Nolan guest stars)
18. (02-02-69) DOUBLE TROUBLE IN THE NURSERY- When Jerry and Suzie need to spend a quiet weekend alone without the twins, Kaye and Eve offer to watch the babies.
19. (02-09-69) VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY IN-LAWS- When a cereal contest comes up, Eve and Kaye try to win it for the twins college fund.
20. (02-23-69) GUESS WHO'S COMING FOREVER?- When Jerry and Suzie move to a bigger home for the babies, Kaye and Eve rent out their old apartment to a black man.
21. (03-02-69) EVERY IN-LAW WANTS TO GET INTO THE ACT- When Jerry gets the flu and can't do his nightclub act, the Hubbards and Buells want to replace him on stage. (Jimmy Durante guest stars)
22. ( 03-16-69) TWO ON THE ISLE- When 2 theatre tickets arrive in the mail, the Hubbards and Buells fight over who will get them. (Terri Garr guest stars)
23. (03-23-69) TAKE HER, HE'S MINE- Roger has a new secretary that Kaye is extremely jealous of.
24. (03-30-69) SHOW BUSINESS IS NO BUSINESS- When Don Rickles is doing a benefit show at the lodge, Eve and Kaye do their best in competing to see who will get to be his partner in the show. (Don Rickles guest stars)
25. (04-06-69) THE CHARGE OF THE WIFE BRIGADE- Eve and Kaye need jobs to pay off their department store bills.
26. (04-13-69) THE NOT SO GRAND OPERA- Both Eve and Kaye want the lead role in an opera production for their club. (Marni Nixon and Mary Jane Croft guest star)

I just received "The Mothers-in-Law" DVD and it's everything a classic TV lover, like myself, would want. Bonus features, commentary from Kaye Ballard, behind-the-scenes footage, vintage cast commercials, sponser plugs, WOW! Not to mention that the episodes were re-mastered in all their wonderful 1960's glory. It's funny to see some of the colors vividly especially the Hubbard's orange couch in season one. The price for this DVD set is well worth the money. considering you get all 56 episodes in one box set.
I think one of the highlights is that Kaye sings the lyrics to the crazy theme song which I never knew existed. It's hystercial just like the music itself. Also, the pilot with a different "Susie" played by Kay Cole (who was she, anyway?) instead of Deborah Walley is an interesting sight to behold. Never, ever seen and the opening and closing credits are also different, but amusing. Kaye does point out that she was very sad to see Roger C. Carmel leave after the first season and that Richard Deacon could not fill his shoes as well but there are still wonderfully funny episodes in the second season. I have to tell you, this is a must for any die-hard fans of "The Mothers-in-Law" who only remember the cut syndicated episodes during the 1970's. MPI, THANK YOU and KAYE !

THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW: THE COMPLETE SERIES is everything a classic TV fan ever dreamed a DVD set could be. DVD producer Don Wingate and DVD executive producer Jim Pierson have done a sensational job!!! Loaded with bonus features, excellent print quality, attractive packaging, and bargain priced!! This folks is how it should be done and the proof is in the sales, on it's second day of release THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW was in the top 40 selling DVDS of any kind on Amazon.com - as it was on day one! When I wrote this there was not another television show older than the last decade in the Top 100 - heck, there's not anything else in the Top 100 made before 1990 beyond two Disney animated classics and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, all of them in the back of the chart!! This unassuming little show from almost a half century ago is holding it's own in sales against today's hottest TV shows and multi-million budget dollar movies! That a sitcom seldom seen in the last 40 years could rack up such high sales numbers is astonishing and is vivid proof of the market potential for classic television on DVD.

This show and it's through the roof sales on DVD are tributes to the talents of two extraordinary comediennes, the late Eve Arden and the great Kaye Ballard (Eve's great too, of course!!) Watching these two pros ring solid laughs out of their material is a joy to behold. Eve Arden, for years Lucille Ball's main rival for the queen of tv comedy hasn't been too well represented on DVD in the past but this series set is a perfect tribute to this legendary actress.

If you love Lucy and Ethel, you'll love THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW. If you love Laverne and Shirley, you'll love THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW. If you love The Golden Girls, you'll love THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW - heck if you just love great comediennes and high-spirited comedy you will love THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW!! Thank you Eve and Kaye for the wonderful memories and the enduring laughs.

I was three years old when this show went off the air, but I actually remember it because my mother was a big fan. I also remember seeing it on a religious channel during the 1990s, but the film was very faded. The contents of this DVD set appear to have come from the Arnaz estate. It's put together very well, the shows are well restored and the pilot even includes an introduction by Desi Arnaz Jr., commerical bumpers AND NBC's peacock annoucing this program is brought to you in living color. There's lots of extras too including Kaye Ballard remembering the show fondly as two of the greatest years in her career (she looks well for being in her 80s). Also, there are commercials used on the show, network promotions, photos, and a film made by Desi Arnaz documenting the making of one episode showing what happened behind the scenes, commentary by Kaye Ballard, Madeline Davis, and Dann Cann. If you liked I Love Lucy, this show borrows a lot from that concept and I think you'll like this show as well.

I received this in the mail the other day, and only got to look in to a few episodes, but from what I've seen, I am very pleasantly surprised! Admittingly, I did not know alot about this show, I vaguely remember it running in reruns when I was a kid, but never paid much attention to it. I can tell you now that if you like the comedy of "I Love Lucy", you will be in for some quality entertainment - the spirit of the Ricardo's and the Mertz's are clearly alive in this program! Desi Arnaz's influence shows very clearly in these programs, which also had I Love Lucy's head writers.

When you consider you get 56 uncut and cleaned up episodes of some very funny comedy, plus a generous helping of bonus material, this set is a great value at $40. At the Amazon price ($18.99), this set is an absolute steal! If you like some good old-fashioned family-friendly humor, I would encourage you to get this while the price is this low! Highly Recomended!

I haven't seen "The Mothers-In-Law" since 1978 when our local TV station KTTV in Los Angeles began airing it that year for a short run. I was 17 at the time and had always watched the show in syndication as far back as 1971. I always thought it was a good show and never forgot it. Why TV Land or the other cable networks never bothered to pick it up I'll never understand. Thirty-two years is a heck of a long time to go without seeing this TV classic! The wait was so long that I had really forgotten what takes place in some of the episodes. Even the theme song I couldn't remember! But as soon as I popped in disc one it all started to come back! What a treat!!

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this classic sitcom? I know one thing. I can't help but feel like I am watching "I Love Lucy 2" at times. Because two of the original writers of that show, plus the directing of Desi Arnaz, Sr., often makes some of the situations and craziness very Ricardo-Mertz-esque!

The show as obviously shot on film and I would say that most prints of the episodes are an "8" or "9" on a scale of one to ten with ten being the best quality. I don't know if these are new prints made from the negative but you can't be too picky over a show that may never had made it to a DVD release.

I am really glad MPI Home video took additional time with this DVD release as the bonus material they included is just wonderful. Some episodes include an original commercial showing products like Thrill dishwashing liquid that have since been long gone (I don't even remember it!). There are also some skits from the cast themselves used to pitch a sponsor's product during commercial breaks. Like Eve, Roger and Kaye contemplating on how to tell the butcher he has bad breath while spinning a bottle of Scope mouthwash on the kitchen table. That is hilarious!

As a bonus the pilot of "The Carol Channing Show" from 1966 is included. I never knew she attempted to have a show of her own and I can't understand why it wasn't sold. It's very good and in color! The sketch of Channing trying to steal a hot dog from someone sitting on a park bench is classic! Another Desi Arnaz pilot is also included: "Lands End" starring Gilbert Roland, Rory Calhoun and others, from 1968. I haven't watched it yet but my 90 year old parents did and fell asleep.

Something I was very surprised about was how much Kaye Ballard steals the show. I've always been an Eve Arden fan and from memory just assumed I'd get into it again because of her. Nope. All eyes are on Kaye as I can't wait for her to steal another scene with her loud Italian expressions, physically hitting Roger when she's upset or when she's making one of her great facial expressions! She's unpredictable, different and I like that. It's totally refreshing and there's no one on television like her before or since except for Beatrice Arthur's characterization of Maude Findley from "Maude."

In the episode of "Who's Afraid of Elizabeth Taylor" I was really hoping that just maybe, Miss Taylor would show up at the front door needing to use the phone because her car broke down just like in the hypothetical situations they were suggesting among the characters. But, sadly, this did not happen. Still, the episode was quite funny.

I got my set at Amazon on sale for $18.95 and I would have gladly forked over double that amount just to see this TV classic just once more. Thank you, Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Lucie Arnaz for being the great set of kids that you are from your famous mom and dad. You could have easily been snobs for holding on to everything your parents owned but instead you have chosen to continue releasing all the wonderful things your parents contributed to TV over the years. And thank you MPI for doing such a great job! If you like physical comedy ala "I Love Lucy," "LaVerne & Shirley" or "Three's Company," The Mothers-In-Law will not disappoint! I highly recommend!

I watched this series during its original run and am looking forward to it being on DVD, although I must state that second season was not as good as the first due to Roger C. Carmel's departure from the show. Richard Deacon did his usual good job, but he basically played Roger Buell the same way he played Mel Cooley, which completely changed Roger's personality and his relationship with wife Kaye. Ballard and Arden are quite funny together and some of the best episodes have an old-time radio flavor with delightful wordplay, such as the episode where the kids have a fight and eventually the entire group isn't speaking to each other. I enjoyed that episode so much I made an audio tape of it, and it held up quite well as an audio presentation.

Everyone likens this series to I LOVE LUCY and it has certain LUCY riffs, but I also think of it as being a bit like the British series THE GOOD LIFE (a.k.a. GOOD NEIGHBORS) if the Ledbetters and the Goods had had children who married. The more conventional Hubbards are like the Ledbetters, and the Buells are as odd in their own way as the Goods.

I hope some of the more classic 1960s and 1970s series will come to DVD, including the brillant HE AND SHE and MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT. I've heard a rumor that the 1975 ELLERY QUEEN series may be due out soon as well. These would be a great tonic to the "reality show" trend that infests our network broadcasts these days.

I watched this when I was a kid, and thought it was funny. Some stuff sticks in memory: Kaye and Eve store their meatballs on top of a garage door and it comes crashing down all over their husband's heads; when famous ghost singer Marni Nixon does an on-screen guest spot with the ladies all playing Valkyries (Marni mentioned this in her memoirs), or Desi Arnaz himself as a retired torrero . . . "would you like yours plain or with chize?". RIP Eve Arden, Deborah Walley, Richard Deacon, Roger C Carmel and Herbert Rudley. I hope the always funny Kaye Ballard offers something in extras. Ballard and Arden followed Vivian Vance's advice and had their sitcom characters first names the same as their own . . . that way they would not be remembered for eternity as "Ethel".

I love this show. Sadly I haven't seen it in reruns for nearly 40 years. But now thankfully it's on DVD. I think this great show is highly underrated. It reminds me of the dymanic between the Ricardos and the Mertzs on I Love Lucy. Get it for laughs!!

I love this show and I am so happy it is out on DVD. I agree it is one of the funniest shwos ever on TV, manly due to Eve Arden and Kay Ballard. Let's hope this same company puts out other great shows I have been waiting for. My World and Welcome to it. The Ghost and Mrs. Mier, The Paul Lynde Show, My Mother the Car, It's About Time, Car 54 and The Govener and JJ.